Reflections

Television is one of those things that I’ve largely abandoned over time. It’s not that it ever had that much influence over me however; I’ve always been more interested in computers because of the extra interaction required. However, Numb3rs is just one of those shows that I’ll gladly go out of my way to watch. Indeed, it’s one of the few series that I actually follow on a consistent basis.

I’ve noticed that Numb3rs has adopted a slightly different style this season, with different camera angles and interesting cold opens (such as a previous episode starting off with someone getting zapped by a “UFO” ). It definitely makes for a nice entertaining change.

The C-start reflex in action.

Anyway, this episode starts off with Charlie Epps giving a lecture on pursuit-evasion to various people at the FBI. In pursuit-evasion, one group attempts to track down another as the latter tries to escape. Charlie mentions that a pursuer can change the rules of a chase by introducing extra variables such as canines and helicopters. He also continues by saying that pursuers must predict the actions of their target (without being predictable themselves), using a snake and a fish (referencing the C-start reflex) as an analogy.

In a separate scene, Ian Edgerton (FBI agent and brilliant sniper) tracks down a person (Vincent Costello) holding information that may be vital in shutting down a drug kingpin (Xavier Salazar) operating from behind bars. He catches his target by predicting the latter’s actions and begins to extract information on Salazar’s bookkeeper, Felipe Garcia. It turns out that said target didn’t really have sufficient knowledge and promised to find out more. In the end, Costello was killed by Salazar’s supporters, framing Ian for the murder.

Inside the prison, Ian discusses the details of why he was at the scene with Don Eppes (Charlie’s brother and FBI agent) and Frank Thompson (U.S. marshal in charge of the prison). He goes into detail on how Garcia – a supposed escapee – was actually still inside the prison impersonating another inmate (trying to hide from Salazar). However, there was too much evidence against Ian (including the weapon used to kill Costello and several bank transfers to his account from suspicious sources). He was led to his cell but managed to escape, triggering a prison-wide lockdown.

Don and his team, along with the fugitive apprehension squad (led by Janet Galvin) at the prison, track down Ian without much success at first. It turns out that Ian was hiding out in the vents; Don and Colby Granger find out about this fact after taking a look at the building’s blueprints and begin to scout the entire penitentiary. When they probe into a suspicious room, however, Ian gets a jump on them and takes Colby hostage.

Charlie explains the longitudinal socializing process.

Ian demands to get a hold of Charlie via video to utilize the latter’s mathematical knowledge in tracing Garcia. After getting some insight on the problem, Charlie proposes the longitudinal socializing process to search for the most beneficial patterns and behaviours – that is, the alliances that Garcia may have established to prevent being tracked down by Salazar. The FBI then begins searching for Garcia’s most likely associates at the prison.

In the meantime, Don questions his own instincts (on whether he should have shot Ian to save Colby). However, Charlie says that it may just have been self-preservation, that Don has doubts of Ian’s malicious intent. Colby and Ian wearily discuss philosophy while awaiting for something to happen.

David Sinclair finds out that Garcia has requested for a transfer (to a different prison) multiple times, each of which were rejected at the last minute by Frank. This automatically rings some bells, so David asks what was going on. His concerns were shrugged off, however, and the apprehension squad heads off to blow open a path to Ian with a bomb. A moment later, Charlie relays to David and the others that Garcia was located in the maximum security area.

Ian and Colby are alerted of this news by David. Colby was also made aware (through a distress word) of Frank’s intention to breach. They discuss the fact that Salazar couldn’t operate without help from inside the prison and that it was likely the reason why Frank was so eager to break in without listening to Garcia. The lights in the room turn red…

Ian – “So you’ve got to ask yourself Granger: why’s Thompson pushing to make entry? Why wouldn’t he at least listen to what Garcia has to say? He wants to protect himself and now he’s gotta kill me.” Frees Colby and hands over his gun. “Just the facts.”
Colby – Resigned expression. “Just the facts…”

Thompson and his team detonate the bomb, making a rather large hole into the wall. Colby pretends to apprehend Ian in order to prevent any bloodshed. At the same time, Don and Nikki Betancourt rush to the maximum security wing where Galvin was making her move. During the breach earlier, Galvin had gone off to free Salazar and told him of Garcia’s location (it turns out that she was working for Salazar for the past two years). Don and Nikki make it just in time, with the former shooting Salazar in the back and the latter apprehending Galvin.

In the end, Ian’s name was cleared and Don’s gut instinct confirmed. As for the episode name, it was derived from the ultimatum game (giving an explanation to Ian’s behaviour – he was willing to inflict damage to himself to punish another).

Don – “Why am I always going to bed when everyone else is waking up?”
Charlie – “Well, at least this time you’re not alone, I’m right here with ya.”
…
Don – “Hey, Ian bet his life on you, kid.”
Charlie – “You can say the same thing about you.”
Don – “Sure that’s why I didn’t pull the trigger?”
Charlie – “Aw, I’d bet my life on it.”